Denim Tears announces the Spring Summer 2026 collection titled Libertas. Founded by Tremaine Emory, the New York label utilizes this release to address the history behind the Statue of Liberty. The collection specifically references the broken chains at the feet of the monument, which sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi included to mark the end of American slavery. While many view the statue as a symbol of immigration, Emory focuses on its original intent as a monument to emancipation and the Union victory in the Civil War.
SPRING SUMMER 2026.27
The broken chain serves as a recurring visual motif throughout the designs to reclaim this specific historical meaning. Denim Tears places these chains directly into the clothing to enlarge a detail that history often minimizes. The brand also incorporates the chain symbol into a crest that embellishes premium leather garments.
The Libertas release features high-end outerwear and a variety of coordinated accessories. Key items include the Lady Liberty Studded Leather Jacket and matching shorts. The collection also introduces the Ranger Jacket and the Ranger Polo. Accessory offerings include the Liberty Belt, a specialized keychain, and a necklace.
Beyond the specific Libertas theme, the Spring Summer 2026 season expands upon established Denim Tears symbols. The brand applies the signature Cotton Wreath motif to several new silhouettes. This season, the wreath appears through oxidized studs, stripes, and various floral patterns. New graphic treatments also update the look of the wreath across the apparel line.
Denim remains a primary focus for the brand throughout the new season. The collection features baggy silhouettes and selvedge constructions. These denim pieces appear in light washes across a range of jackets and jeans. The designs continue the brand’s practice of embedding social narratives into clothing, following previous themes like the 5th Quarter collection and The Scorpion & The Frog.
Emory uses the Cotton Wreath to acknowledge the role of cotton farming in the American slave trade. The Libertas collection follows this tradition of exploring complex national histories. The brand views the unchained feet of the 1886 gift from France as a vital part of the statue’s identity. By centering the collection on these chains, Denim Tears provides a new perspective on a global icon.
Denim Tears will release the full Spring Summer 2026 collection in various phases over the coming months. The first items arrive on Friday, February 20th, at 11am EST. Customers can purchase the collection via the official Denim Tears website. The brand also offers the pieces in-store at Africa Diaspora Goods, located at 176 Spring Street in New York City.
